So the decorations are down and the cards are ready to be recycled. It’s a flat sort of day. Especially since the next day is a Monday this year, and Real Life starts up in earnest for everyone.

Until the mid-nineteenth century, though, Twelfth Day in Britain was a celebration (and also the Feast of the Epiphany). In those days, the ones I mostly write about, Christmas went on after December 25th, instead of peaking on the day. And our Christmas cake developed out of the old Twelfth Cake, with its bean and other tokens and its turning upside down of the usual rules.

In Ireland, the rules were kicked over too. January 6th was known as Little Christmas (Nollaig Bheag), or Women’s Christmas (Nollaig na mBan). On this day, the men took over all the housework and the women got a well-earned rest, or the chance to enjoy themselves with sisters, daughters or friends.

I’m not planning any misrule today, but I’m going to celebrate Twelfth Day with a few photos of my first Christmas. So here we are, me and my parents…

Slightly bored baby, handsome but serious parents…

Perking up a bit now Mum’s stroking me

That’s better!

My mother used to have a party on January 6th, so today’s poignant for me, but with happy memories.

Here’s a very rich recipe for Twelfth Cake, if you’re into baking. Have you got any Twelfth Day/Night traditions?

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

About rebelhand

A Rebel Hand is:
about Nicholas Delaney, Irish rebel of 1798, transported as a convict to New South Wales, roadbuilder, innkeeper and farmer. My great-great-great grandfather.
Other ancestors transported to Australia, like Sarah Marshall, John Simpson and James Thomas Richards, pop up as well.
This blog's also about the historical background to their lives, in England, Ireland, and Australia.

Fascinating info Frances. Embarrassed to admit I never quite knew what that 12 day of Christmas Song as all about … oops. Then I got distracted off looking at the recipes and following up links and MORE recipes :-) Love the photos and must say you parents are such a handsome looking pair but your mum is exceptionally beautiful.

My darling mum constantly shook her finger at me and warned… “Curiosity killed the cat, Catherine!” which should have been a worry cos my younger bro liked to call me Katz, or sometimes Cacky, when he was feeling grumpy … ha ha ha!!!

Say hello

What do you think?

I welcome feedback and comments. Do let me know what you think about this blog or a post you've read.
Any problems with commenting? Please get in touch on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or by email.

Header image based on View of Sydney Cove from Dawes Point by Joseph Lycett. By State Library of New South Wales (cat a5491074), CC BY-SA
Full details: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:View_of_Sydney_Cove_from_Dawes_Point_by_Joseph_Lycett_page74_a5491074.JPG